Police: Mom coerced daughter into shoplifting

LAKE CITY, Fla. — A Lake City mother is facing charges of shoplifting with her child in tow.     

Police said Crystal Tuimala coerced her 10-year-old daughter into stealing more than $200 worth of items at a Walmart.     

Investigators said she helped take the hangers off clothes to smuggle them out of the store. The Florida Department of Children and Families was also called in to investigate.

Just last week, another local mother was arrested for the same thing.     

Jessica Thompson was arrested outside a Kohl's in Gainesville, accused of shoplifting with her 13-year-old daughter.     

Investigators said Thompson also had a pipe used to smoke marijuana on her during the arrest.

WJAX